A worried mother has called for urgent action to improve emergency response times in Cardiff after her injured son lay waiting for an ambulance for more than an hour.

A worried mother has called for urgent action to improve emergency response times in Cardiff after her injured son lay waiting for an ambulance for more than an hour.

Matthew Monaghan, 26, was left bleeding and semi-conscious after suffering facial injuries in a suspected assault by two individuals in Burnham Avenue, Llanrumney, just after 5pm on Wednesday.

Having undergone two operations at Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales, Mr Monaghan’s family said he is expected to make a full recovery and has been transferred from high dependency to a normal ward.

The Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust – already under fire after it was revealed this week only 60.4% of emergency vehicles in the Welsh capital arrive within the eight minute target –has promised to investigate what it terms “a regrettable delay”.

Pensioner Katie Ajayi, 77, said police summoned to the scene made repeated 999 calls after the requested ambulance failed to arrive.

Mother Lynne Monaghan, 58, from nearby Arnold Avenue, said: “A delay of 70 minutes is disgusting – it’s a ridiculous response time which could have proved critical in Matthew’s case.

“He is lucky to have survived.

“He’s had two operations for bleeding to his brain and fractures and spent time in intensive care and high dependency though they expect to transfer him to a normal ward today and the doctors believe he’ll make a full recovery.

“Matthew and I have been able to chat but I can’t say anything about the police investigation.

“All sides of the are terribly upset and concerned – no one deserves such a beating regardless of the circumstances.

“It’s clearly distressing that so many people are having to wait so long for emergency ambulances – something must be done to improve response times for urgent calls so they are dealt with as top priority.”

South Wales Police confirmed a 16-year-old youth had appeared in court charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Detective Inspector Terry Lee of Rumney CID said: “This was a very serious assault and we are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

“There would have been people in and around this area at the time of the assault and we are appealing to anyone who may have any information to come forward.”

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We are aware of this regrettable delay. We are looking into the details of the case and will discuss the concerns with those involved.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident near the shops in Burnham Avenue can contact South Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

WalesOnline is part of Media Wales, publisher of the Western Mail, South Wales Echo, Wales on Sunday and the seven Celtic weekly titles, offering you unique access to our audience across Wales online and in print.